Shower bath for invalids



J 6, 1953 G. K. CHAPlN SHOWER BATH FOR INVALIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet,l

Filed April 19, 1950 ATTORNEY June 16, 1953 G. K. CHAPIN SHOWER BATH FOR'INVALIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 19. 1950 2 ggva'rplq 20 BY I ATTORNEYS- June 16, 1953 G. CHAPIN 2,641,770

SHOWER BATH FOR INVALIDS Filed April 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 16, 1953 Filed April 19, 1950 G. K. CHAPIN 2,641,770

SHOWER BATH FOR INVALIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 M/rw jw z M I ATTORNEYS Patented June 16, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE I This invention relates to a shower or bath for wheel chairs and is particularly useful for patients or invalids unable to take showers or baths in the customary manner. 1

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a waterproof shower forming enclosure adapted to be attached to wheel chairs of standard construction of such character that patients or invalids who are unable to get freely about because of muscle deficiencies, or the like, can easily get .into'it, can readily manipulate it, and can take a bath or'shower with facility and comfort. .Another object of my invention is the provision of a shower forming enclosure which is adjustable as to height in a simple manner.

A further object resides in the provision of a 14 Claims. (Cl. 4-446) 2 Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of another modification of the invention.

In the drawings I have illustrated a wheel chair A of standard tubular frame construction having rear upright frame members in, front upright frame members H-bent rearwardly at 12 to support arm rests l3, lower connecting frame members l4, diagonal cross braces 15, and lower supports It for the folding foot boards IT. The main wheels [8 of the chair are provided with self-propelling hard rims l9 and the rear wheels are swiveled. A seat cushion 2| and a back cushion 22 are provided.

The shower enclosure device of my invention comprises in general a waterproof shower enclosure B made of waterproofed fabric, rubber, or

firm foot rest or support to aid in getting into the enclosure and to prevent the user from toppling forward when taking a shower.

Still another object is the provision of a combined foot rest or support and compartment for storing the enclosure when not in use, which may be readily moved about with the wheel chair.

Another object is the provision of a shower enclosure having a side wall or flap which, when open, maybe conveniently laid on an adjoining bed to act asa waterproof pad for the bed for the thus prevent getting the bed wet.

Other objects have to do with simplicity of construction, ready accessibility, the provision for I forming a pool of water in the bottom of the enclosure, and easy drainage.

How the foregoing, together with such other objects and advantages as will hereinafter appear, are realized is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevational view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention applied to a wheel chair of standard construction;

Figure 2 is a front view of Figure 1, illustrating my invention associated with a bed; I

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the shown enclosure removed from the wheel chair;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan section taken onthe line 44 of Figure 1; I

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view of an adjusting and clamping device I employ p Figure 6 is an enlarged plan sectiontaken on the line 66 of Figure 5, with the clamping handle in the position it assumes during adjustment;

Figure 7 is an enlarged plan section on the line 'l- -l of Figure 1;

' Figure 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing a modification of the invention; and

other waterproof material; supporting framework indicated as a whole by the reference letter C; brackets D for attaching the framework C to the chair; and hooks E for detachably hanging. the

V enclosure B from the supporting framework 0.

- user to get onto upon leaving the enclosure and The brackets D each comprise a pair of clamp: ing members 23 adapted to clamp around the chair, uprights I 0, and a support member 24 having an upwardly extending stud 25. The support member 24 and clamping members 23 are secured together and are securely clamped in place on the chair uprights by means of screws 26. An upright rod 2'! is clamped between the clamping members 23 and this rod may be used for the attachment of any desired accessory.

The supporting framework C of the shower enclosure comprises a pair of upright supports each having a lower tubular member 28 fitting the stud 25 of a bracket D; an upper tubular member 29 having a forwardly extending arm 36; and an intermediate adjusting rod 3! having its lower end portion 32 fitted into the lower member 28, and its upper end portion 33 fitted into the upper member 29. The adjusting rod 3! has a shouldered portion 34 which seats against the top of the lower member 28. The upper portion 33 of the adjusting rod is of oval shape in cross section, as seen in Figure 6, and the upright portion of the upper tubular frame member 29 has its sides With the adjusting rod and tube in the relation shown in Figure 6, the upper tubular frame of the adjusting rod spreads the tubular member, I to firmly grip it and lock the frame in adjusted position. After adjustment the handle isswung 3 downwardly on its pivot 36 to fit snugly against the frame member 28.

The shower enclosure B is hung by means of simple hooks E from an upper support 31 preferably of rectangular shape as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 3. The support 3? has longitudinally extending tubes 38 secured thereto as by means of brazing for receiving the arms 3ll of the members 29 and is thus held in position above the chair.

The shower enclosure B is shaped so that it will be received into and substantially fit the space formed by the back seat and arms of the chair and rise thereabove to the desired height. Toward the front, in advance of the seat, the enclosure depends or extends downwardly to a point well below the seat to form a pocket 39 for the feet of the user. In this connection it will be noted, as viewed in Figure 1, that the enclosure extends forwardly of the chair at its lower portion to form this pocket. In other words, the enclosure B is of rectangular cross section horizontally considered at its upper portion and flares forwardly at its lower portion to be of larger cross section to provide ample foot room.

Stated in another way, the shape of the enclosure is such that the occupant may sit therein with his feet depending in the pocket without subjecting the enclosure to any strain and with sufficient roominess.

In order to gain entry into the interior of the enclosure, I provide for opening one side of the enclosure, in this instance the left side it as viewed in Figure 2, as by means of zippers 61-42 at the edges where this side joins the front and rear walls of the enclosure. It will be noted that the zipper 41 at the rear edge extends from the top downwardly to a point 43 somewhat below the arm of the chair and that the zipper :12 at the front edge extends from the top downwardly to a point M somewhat below the top of the foot pocket 39. In Figure 3 I have shown the side wall or flap in the act of being opened. In Figure 2 I have shown this wall or flap 19 in dot and dash lines entirely opened and extending over the arm of the chair across a bed 45 to form a waterproof pad for the bed. It is pointed out that by extending the front zipper down to the point 44 the user has only to lift his feet a small amount in getting out of the enclosurea feature of advantage.

A shower tube and spray head indicated in dot and dash lines at 46 in Figure 2 is passed into the enclosure by means of an access opening '41, pref er-ably provided in the side wall 40. This opening is located at a point convenient to the user and is provided with an inner flap 48 (see Figure 4) covering the opening and open at the front 49. This flap acts as a protection against water passing out through the access opening 41.

The foot pocket 39 in addition to giving ample foot room to the user also serves as a pocket for collecting a pool of water for foot bathing or for rinsing out wash cloths. A drain opening 513 is located in this pocket at a level to provide a pool of sufficient depth, and water may be led off by means of a hose 5].

In order to givejsupport to the feet, I have provided a support in the form of a box 82 adapted to fit under the foot pocket 39 and in between the wheels of the chair when the foot boards are hinged upwardly as shown in Figure 2. This box res'ting on the door gives very solid foot support which "is of the utmost importance with users having "muscle deficiency, such as ooours in polio cases and in which cases there would be great danger from toppling forward in the absence of such foot support. In addition to making this box of the proper height to give a required foot support, I make the length and width thereof of such dimension that the enclosure 3 can be folded up and stored in the box. The box can be conveyed around by the wheel chair by moving the chair until the cross braces I?) push against the back of the box. Thus for convenience the box can be stored in the patients room and the chair and box together can be conveniently moved to the point of use, the enclosure removed from the box, and then hooked into place on the supporting framework.

To drain the pool of water, the chair is moved to engage the back of the box which permits the front of the pocket 39 to hang downwardly over the front edge of the box to lower the drain opening.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a modification in which the box 52 is provided with fittings '53 positioned to ride on the upper curved surfaces '54 of the foot boards ii to have hooked engagement therewith and hold the box spaced/above the floor. Since the footboards are pivoted at [6, pressure on top of the .box forces the foot boards inwardly toward the sides of the box to grip and hold .it firmly in place.

In the modification of Figure '9 I have shown a tent top 55 supported on the supporting framework C and tent sides -55 hung from this top, as by means of snap fasteners 5 The general procedure in using my device is to wheel the chair with the .box 52 in place,,-next to a bed, as shown in Figure 2, apply the framework C, adjust it to proper height, apply the enclosure B with the openable side 4!! toward the bed and in open position, it being pointed out that the material of the enclosure will give to suit the adjustment, move the feet onto the box 52 to get support, move into the enclosure, close the open side, pull the shower 46 in, and then proceeed with the shower. When finished the side 46 is opened and laid on the bed to act as a pad and the user then leaves the chair, getting onto this pad until finished drying. Next the enclosure, after having been drained, is removed from the framework and stored in the box. The framework may then be removed or left in place for subsequent use.

While I have shown the device applied to a wheel chair of tubular metal construction, it is to be understood it is equally applicable to other types of chairs, as, for example, wooden chairs.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for the shower bathing of .invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a shower enclosure device comprising supporting brackets secured to the chair; framework detachably mounted on said brackets; and a waterproof enclosure hung from said framework having an openable sideto give entry into the en closure.

5 brackets secured to the chair; framework detachably mounted on said brackets; and a waterproof enclosure hung from said framework, said enclosure having an openable side to give entry (j, into said enclosure, a foot pocket at the lower portion of said enclosure and a drain opening in said foot pocket.

3. Apparatus for the shower bathing of invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a shower enclosure device comprising supporting brackets secured to the chair; framework detachablymounted on said brackets; and a waterproof enclosure hung from said framework, said enclosure having an openable side to give entry into said' enclosure, a foot pocket at the lower portion of said enclosure and a drain opening in said foot pocket, said drain opening being located in said pocket at a pointabove the bottom thereof to enable a pool of water to be formed in said pocket.

4. Apparatus for the shower bathing of invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a

shower enclosure device comprising supporting brackets clamped to rear supports of the chair, upright supporting members secured to said brackets, an upper supporting frame carried by said upright supporting members, a waterproof enclosure, hooks for hanging said enclosure from said frame, said enclosure having a rear portion extending downwardly from said frame to the seat of said chair and having a front portion extending below the level of said seat to form a foot pocket, and a drain opening in said pocket.

5. Apparatus for the shower bathing of invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a shower enclosure device comprising brackets clamped to rear supports of the chair, upright supporting members secured to said brackets, an upper supporting frame of rectangular form carried by said upright supporting members, a waterproof enclosure, and hooks for hanging said enclosure from said frame, said enclosure being substantially of rectangular form in horizontal cross section in its upper portion and flaring to larger cross section in its lower portion to form a front foot pocket.

6. Apparatus for the shower bathing of invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a shower enclosure device comprising brackets clamped to rear supports of the chair, upright adjustable supporting members securedto said brackets, upper support structure carried by said upright supporting members, a waterproof enclosure, hooks engaging said upper support structure and said waterproof enclosure to hang the enclosure from said support structure, said waterproof enclosure having an openable side, and means for opening and closing said side.

'7. Apparatus for the shower bathing of invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a shower enclosure device comprising a waterproof enclosure having an openable side to give entry 6. rods to secure the frame members in adjusted position.

8. Apparatus for the shower bathing of invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a

shower enclosure device comprising brackets clamped to rear supports of the chair, upright supporting memberssecured to said brackets,

thereto; supporting framework for said wateran uppersupporting frame carried by said upright supporting members, a waterproof enclosure, hooks for hanging said enclosure from.

said frame, said enclosure having a rear portion extending downwardly from said frame to the seat of said chair, a front portion extending below the level of said seat to form a foot pocket, an openable side, and zipper means for opening and closing said side, said zipper means including a rear zipper extending downwardly from the top of said enclosure to the seat of the chair and a front zipper extending from the top of said enclosure to said foot pocket.

9. Apparatus for the shower bathing of invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a shower enclosure device comprising brackets secured to rear supports of the chair, upright supporting members secured to said brackets, an upper supporting frame carried by said upright supporting members, a waterproof enclosure, and hooks for hanging said enclosure from said frame, said waterproof enclosure having an openable side adapted when open to be laid over a bed to serve as a pad when said chair is placed adjacent said bed.

10. Apparatus for the shower bathing of invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a shower enclosure device comprising supporting brackets secured to the chair; framework detachably mounted on said brackets; a waterproof enclosure hung from said framework, an openable side for said enclosure to give entry into the enclosure, an access opening in said enclosure for the insertion of a shower device, and a flap covering said access opening.

11. Apparatus for the shower bathing of invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a shower enclosure device comprising supporting brackets secured to the chair; framework detachably mounted on said "brackets; a waterproof enclosure hung from said framework, said enclosure having an openable side to give entry into said enclosure; a foot pocket at the lower portion of said enclosure; and a foot support located under said pocket.

12. Apparatus for the shower bathing of invalids comprising a chair having a plurality of wheels providing for mobility of the chair; a shower enclosure device comprising supporting brackets secured to the chair; framework detachably mounted on said brackets; a waterproof enclosure hung from said framework, said enclosure having an openable side to give entry into said enclosure; a foot pocket at the lower portion of said enclosure; and a foot support carried by the wheel chair and located under said pocket.

13. In combination with a wheel chair having the usual frame structure, and pivoted foot boards; a shower enclosure device comprising brackets secured to the frame structure of the wheel chair; framework detachably mounted on said brackets; a waterproof enclosure hung from said framework having an openable side to give entry intothecenclosurera foot pocket atrthe lower portion of said enclosure; and a foot-sup; port undersaid pocket, said footsupporztbeing carried by the wheel chairrfoot boards.

14.- Apparatus for the shower bathing of in: valids comprising a chair having Y a plurality iof wheels providing for mobility of-theehairpa shower enclosure device comprising supporting brackets secured to the chair; framework de-, tachably mounted on said brackets; azwaterproof enclosure hung from said framework, sa-idem closure having an openable' side to givec entry into said enclosure; a foot'pocket at theupper portion of said enclosure; and a foot support located under said pocket in the form vof a box proportioned to store :said waterproof V enclosure.

GERALD K.

Ref rences {Cited he are so: 7 hi 1 Patent UNITED STATES PATENTS.

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